Posted on

Is it Depression, or Access to a New Level of Consciousness?

These days there is a bit of a depression epidemic. Many people are relying on pharmaceuticals to treat the symptoms – irritability, sadness, loss of interest, anxiety and other serious outcomes. The question is, what is causing the swelling numbers of people feeling these symptoms. Is it because of our fast paced world? Is there something in the genes, or some other inherited factor? The answer probably isn’t cut and dried – many different factors can have an influence. What I’d like to discuss here though is another possible cause and some tips that may help you or someone you know navigate these challenges.

Over the last number of years there have been “cosmic shifts” in the level of consciousness available to humans. There are literally more paths available to people to be able to reach these higher levels of consciousness. The “structure” is continually being built out and modified to bring about new possibilities.

With this comes great potential for humankind, but at the same time it brings challenges to those of us who don’t yet have the experience to be able to handle and integrate this available consciousness into our way of being. The vast majority of us don’t have any idea how to deal with this new-found ability, and in some cases it can lead to the very symptoms that we identify as “depression”.

The good news is, there are ways to integrate and experience this new level of consciousness, and at the same time reduce or eliminate the symtoms of depression. One solution is ancient and proven. Integrating a regular meditation practice into your life will help you to access these additional dimensions and become more linked into the “one mind” of humanity. There are many other ways to reach this goal as well, such as reiki, yoga, mindfulness, etc. and using a combination of these is greatly beneficial.

This type of practice will help each of us in our work on our spiritual path, and will provide a higher quality of inner life.

Posted on

My Reiki Journey

My first experience with Reiki was having a hands on treatment from a Reiki Master. That was over 15 years ago, and just before that time I had decided to make a drastic career shift, giving up the security of full-time employment and launching a business in an entirely different field. It turned out that I wasn’t ready for the change – my body, my mind, my whole self. I became very anxious and felt like I was having a nervous breakdown. I had trouble sleeping, and felt truly awful. Until then I didn’t know it was possible to feel that much pain without having some sort of physical trauma. My doctor prescribed anti-depressant medication to help with the anxiety/irritability, as well as sleeping pills to take as needed. The anti-depressants became something I relied on for many years, but more about that to come.

The new business I had attempted was very short lived because of this. At that point I decided to take a few months to just try to recover. I had met a Reiki Master (Alex Baisley) through a business networking group I had been attending where I was living at the time (in Guelph Ontario), so I decided to make an appointment. I had no experience with this type of thing, and was pretty skeptical, but I figured I didn’t have much to lose in giving it a try. I felt pretty desperate after all.

After just one session I was already convinced of the value that Reiki healing was providing to me. By the end of the session I felt much more relaxed and had experienced something that I knew deep down was very special. I didn’t know exactly what it was yet, but it felt great. I attended many more sessions over the months, and Alex also sent me distance energy at times between our in-person sessions. I remember sitting at my desk in my home office and suddenly feeling sensations through my body – often like the feeling you might get when seeing something wonderful (taking your breath away!), or tingling/movement in the body. It felt amazing and I knew instinctively that Alex was sending distance energy.

Since that time I have moved to Northern Ontario, but I’ve continued working with Alex on various projects over the years that he does through his Big Dream Program (highly recommended by the way!!). I’m now settled in Sault Ste. Marie and one day, while visiting a local mall, I noticed a poster advertising Reiki training. It really stood out to me and I knew that I needed to sign up and take the course. Since then I’ve taken 3 levels of Reiki training, becoming a Reiki Master Practitioner, as well as numerous energy related workshops and Reiki Shares through The Healing Loft with Anne-Marie Caicco (also highly recommended for those in Sault Ste Marie!!). In addition, for the past year I’ve been working closely with Alex, reaping the benefits of his combination of energy work and coaching through online sessions. All of these experiences, as well as daily meditation and self care, have added up to big changes in my life.

Here are some of the things I’ve noticed that have happened since adopting regular Reiki practice over the last couple of years:

  • Better sleep – Previously I would wake up at 3 or 4 am and have trouble falling back asleep – this rarely happens any more
  • Clearer thinking – I can accomplish more at work in a shorter time and memory is improved
  • Back pain and misalignment issues in back reduced
  • Reduced irritability and eliminated the need for anti-depressant medication
  • Get sick much less often
  • Over-all feeling of well being and connection to community

So that’s my story! I’m so grateful for everything I’ve experienced (yes, even the hard parts!). It’s been an amazing journey so far and I know that it will only continue! I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with others for years to come!